Junior Development Chef

Hales Group are currently working with their client to support them in finding a Junior Development Chef. As Junior Development Chef you will report into Head of NPD but day to day will be working with the current Development Chef.

Your role will be to contribute to new briefs, working with the Development Chef to develop new sauces, marinades, spice blends etc for their customers. Learn from others within the department about procedural ways of working, their customer and product base and capabilities of the factory. The role would suit someone in the foodservice / restaurant industry looking to move into new product development department within a food manufacturer.


Duties Include, But Not Limited To:

• Liaise with members of Sales Team to support NPD agendas. Liaison with operational and technical departments regarding all NPD agendas
• Responsible for the creation of new product concepts for their key customers
• Working in a timely, organised manner to ensure customers receive their samples in the required timescale to meet their own customer briefs.
• Attend Weekly NPD Meetings in which new concepts and feasibilities are discussed.
• Support with trials and launches when requested by Head of NPD
• Monitor quality of new and existing products, attend daily taste panels at least once a week and contribute to findings.
• Responsible for the general upkeep of the NPD kitchen to BRC standards.
• Always be mindful the current capabilities within the Production facility and ensure that products developed can be made in this environment safely and to the same quality as in the kitchen when they are scaled up for launches.
• Collaborates with Development Chef, Head of NPD, Commercial, Production and Technical Teams.
• Develop relationships with site Commercial, Technical and Operational teams to present a united front to customers on new product development initiatives.

Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• 1 or 2 years withing a food company, be it a restaurant or catering outlet.
• A flair and genuine interest of food and food development, ideally with a Chef qualification
• Understanding of herbs and spices and their usage and application in different recipes.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also within an NPD team environment.
• Understanding of Microsoft Office.
• Flexible approach to work and hours
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate at all levels, including with customers
• Valid full driving licence.

After an initial induction period you will be given briefs of your own to work on and will contribute to customer presentations both on and off site.

If you are interested in the Junior Development Chef, please apply with an up to date CV!